Connection between the roof cross-member and the upper center pillar reinforcement of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A connection between an upper center pillar reinforcement and a roof cross-member allows providing a body with a high degree of mechanical resistance, in particular with respect to lateral impacts to a vehicle. The connection makes use primarily of a window post liner situated behind the upper center pillar reinforcement. The liner includes a tab intended to overlap the reinforcement in a connecting area and where it is covered by the end of the roof cross-member. A first series of weld points between the roof cross-member and the window post liner provides the connection between these two parts, while a second series of weld points provides the connection between the upper center pillar reinforcement and the window post liner, which is made of a different material from that forming the two other parts, to produce high-efficiency weld points.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to motor vehicles of the passenger car type whose bodywork has at least one roof cross-member in the middle of the roof joined to two center pillar top braces between two side doors of the vehicle.[0002]It relates more particularly to the mechanical strength of the bodywork and indirectly the safety of the vehicle's passenger.PRIOR ART AND PROBLEM POSED[0003]The bodywork, or body shell, of normal types of vehicle, such as saloons, designed for private use, usually comprises, on either side of the vehicle, a central body shell side upright, situated between a front door and a rear door of the vehicle. This element joins the roof elements, in particular a roof cross-member and a top side structure, situated above the two doors, on each side of the vehicle, and if necessary called a “side roof rail”.[0004]FIG. 1 shows these main elements and their junctions. So, the roof cross-member 1 is therefore attached, on the one hand, to the side...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a connection between the roof cross-member and the center pillar top brace of a motor vehicle. The connection is made using a window post liner with high elastic limit steels, which is placed on the inside of the center pillar top brace and attached to the roof cross-member using a series of spot welds. The connection is designed to allow for a secure and rigid attachment of the roof cross-member to the center pillar top brace while also allowing for the insertion of the window post liner. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reliable and effective connection between the roof cross-member and the center pillar top brace that improves the overall strength and stability of the vehicle body shell.

Problems solved by technology

Motor vehicle manufacturers have great difficulty welding together two parts made of such a very high elastic limit steel.

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